This is sad...

Michie · Feb 15, 2012

Last Monday when I was performing my duties at the nursing home a lady told me she no longer wanted to be Catholic.

This lady was known for walking all over town. She is almost 80. She got run over by a car & is recovering there.

I noticed that some Methodists were coming to see here & their conversation were loud as if to drop a hint.

So when I was there last I asked if she'd like to take communion. She acted really uncomfortable & said the people at the Methodist church had been coming by to pick her up to take here to services.

I come every Monday & we have Mass the first Monday of every month. But I know... it is not the same.

She said she felt bad about taking communion since the Methodists had done so much for her.

So I contacted our deacon which I have not heard back from yet & told him that she felt more love & concern from them than us basically.

I feel the RCC really needs to step up in these areas. I just think it's sad because I am not sure it is something she truly wanted to do.

So please say a prayer for her if you think about it.

MikeK · Feb 15, 2012

She has my prayers.

servant of Merciful Love · Feb 15, 2012

God bless her :crossrc:

whitetiger1 · Feb 15, 2012

praying

So I contacted our deacon which I have not heard back from yet & told him that she felt more love & concern from them than us basically.

I know how she feels, I was in the hospital a long while ago and no one from the Church came by my parents former Pastor did from 3 towns away two days straight.

Chany · Feb 16, 2012

Yeah, that's the sad part about the Catholic Church. Besides the idea of papal infallibility, this is probably the biggest thing that turns people away. Who wants to be part of a community when that community doesn't really care about them? We all definitely need to step up our game, especially in the area of actually doing the simple grunt work of helping out others. It sounds stupid, but we often get caught up in the lofty theology and doctrine. Not saying they aren't important, but we forget to actually help others in practice.

eastcoast_bsc · Feb 16, 2012

I just prayed for her.

Michie · Feb 16, 2012

Chany said:
Yeah, that's the sad part about the Catholic Church. Besides the idea of papal infallibility, this is probably the biggest thing that turns people away. Who wants to be part of a community when that community doesn't really care about them? We all definitely need to step up our game, especially in the area of actually doing the simple grunt work of helping out others. It sounds stupid, but we often get caught up in the lofty theology and doctrine. Not saying they aren't important, but we forget to actually help others in practice.

Exactly.

Thanks for the prayers everyone.

JacktheCatholic · Feb 16, 2012

Michie said:
Last Monday when I was performing my duties at the nursing home a lady told me she no longer wanted to be Catholic.

This lady was known for walking all over town. She is almost 80. She got run over by a car & is recovering there.

I noticed that some Methodists were coming to see here & their conversation were loud as if to drop a hint.

So when I was there last I asked if she'd like to take communion. She acted really uncomfortable & said the people at the Methodist church had been coming by to pick her up to take here to services.

I come every Monday & we have Mass the first Monday of every month. But I know... it is not the same.

She said she felt bad about taking communion since the Methodists had done so much for her.

So I contacted our deacon which I have not heard back from yet & told him that she felt more love & concern from them than us basically.

I feel the RCC really needs to step up in these areas. I just think it's sad because I am not sure it is something she truly wanted to do.

So please say a prayer for her if you think about it.

Prayers for you both. :crossrc:

Sometimes we are called to be soldiers of Christ and that means telling a fellow Catholic what they need to be told. She probably needed you to tell her how Catholcism is different than Methodist. That she receives the Body and Blood of Christ when you see her and that is by far a greater service and one the Methodists cannot offer. That we have all 7 Sacraments and they will help her to get to Heaven. So, prayers for both of you.

Geode · Feb 16, 2012

I will pray for her.

gabrielListens · Feb 16, 2012

I would ask her to pray for a sign from God to let her know if she should remain catholic. I am confident that God will answer her. She can specify what the sign will be if she wants, or just let God design it.

When I re-accepted the Lord as my savior a few years ago after being agnostic all my adult life, but raised catholic I was unsure of whether I should return to the catholic faith or be a non-denominational christian. I prayed for a sign and guidance and I know in my heart that I did receive signs in the form of small coincidences involving a certain picture of Mary and other things that caught my attention.

Davidnic · Feb 16, 2012

Praying.

EDB · Feb 16, 2012

Prayers Michie.

Funny I just did a paper for my Field Ed on this very subject. Pastoral care for the sick and homebound is something that really has been neglected as a result of priest shortage. I think most of us are used to this being the job of the priest and religious and don't realize how vital it is to the sick and elderly.

You do a great job Michie and I think the rest of us should take a lesson from you. Thanks!

Michie · Feb 16, 2012

JacktheCatholic said:
Prayers for you both.

Sometimes we are called to be soldiers of Christ and that means telling a fellow Catholic what they need to be told. She probably needed you to tell her how Catholcism is different than Methodist. That she receives the Body and Blood of Christ when you see her and that is by far a greater service and one the Methodists cannot offer. That we have all 7 Sacraments and they will help her to get to Heaven. So, prayers for both of you.

No Jack, That is not my job. Yes I am to plant seeds & evangelize, bring communion. Show support to the sick & dying, bury the dead, etc. But I cannot debate a sick woman into the Church. I did what I was supposed to do & contacted the deacon. The priest or deacon will go out there to discuss her options or arrangements. I'm there to support & talk to people in need. Catholic & non Catholic. The priest is her shepherd in this case & it is up to him to shepherd her.

Michie · Feb 16, 2012

EDB said:
Prayers Michie.

Funny I just did a paper for my Field Ed on this very subject. Pastoral care for the sick and homebound is something that really has been neglected as a result of priest shortage. I think most of us are used to this being the job of the priest and religious and don't realize how vital it is to the sick and elderly.

You do a great job Michie and I think the rest of us should take a lesson from you. Thanks!

Thanks EDB. I'm suffering a bit of burn out but it needs to be done. I don't understand why the RCC does not have a bus or a van to take people to Mass that cannot get there on their own. Not only does it get them to the Church but it can be a time of fellowship & building relationships. I think the RCC is lacking in this area. I know a lot of protestant churches do not have the funds the RCC has yet they offer this sevice. I don't understand it.

EDB · Feb 16, 2012

Michie said:
Thanks EDB. I'm suffering a bit of burn out but it needs to be done. I don't understand why the RCC does not have a bus or a van to take people to Mass that cannot get there on their own. Not only does it get them to the Church but it can be a time of fellowship & building relationships. I think the RCC is lacking in this area. I know a lot of protestant churches do not have the funds the RCC has yet they offer this sevice. I don't understand it.

Yeah we need to work on this ministry. There is a parish I'm working with that is on the right track - not perfect but trying really hard. They have a nursing home and assisted living center in their parish and every Sunday a group of 3-5 EMHCs go to each location and provide a Eucharistic service and visit with the folks after. They also, visit with individuals who cannot leave their apartements very easily and bring communion to them. The pastor goes to each location one weekday morning to offer Mass as well.

I think a big problem is the every day Catholic in the pew - myself included - recognizing the need and being willing to be part of the solution!

Wolseley · Feb 16, 2012

I think at least part of the reason for stuff like this is due to what I call "Church by Committee": you have "pastoral associates" or members of religious orders or whatnot that get together and they talk a problem to death, but don't actually do anything about it.

In my own experience, I've been disgusted to see advertisements in the Catholic magazines for stuff like "2012 Charity Care Workshop: Come and hear Sister Annie Mae Flubnugget, RSM, and a host of speakers discussing 'Jesus' Sheep in the 21st Century: A Holistic Approach to the Underprivileged and Elderly' at the Ramada Inn Banquet Room, July 14th, from 4 to 8 PM. A variety of workshops and dinner will follow. Come join Sister Annie for a challenging evening of adventures in stepping out in faith! A registration fee of $15 will be taken at sign-up and dinner is $12.90 per plate." (I just made that up, but it's similar to the real ones.)

And I think to myself, "If you people would spend less time forming committees and diddling around with "workshops" and discussing everything in the abstract, and actually went out there and physically did something for the poor and elderly, you'd be further ahead with what Christ actually wants you to do." But, it seems that far too often, the Catholics tend to form committees instead of actually doing something, and the whole purpose gets lost in all the organizing.

Frankly, I have more respect for the 25 year old kid that goes out every week and buys four loaves of bread, packages of bologna, ham, turkey, and cheese, and jars of mayonnaise and peanut butter---all on his own dime---and makes up as many sandwiches as he can, then goes downdown on weekends and hands them out to the homeless people. Somebody from one of the local newspapers asked him why he was doing this all on his own, and he said, "I just thought that God wanted me to do more." That guy, in his own little way, is actually making a difference....and he didn't need a $15 a seat worskshop to do it.

Michie · Feb 16, 2012

EDB said:
Yeah we need to work on this ministry. There is a parish I'm working with that is on the right track - not perfect but trying really hard. They have a nursing home and assisted living center in their parish and every Sunday a group of 3-5 EMHCs go to each location and provide a Eucharistic service and visit with the folks after. They also, visit with individuals who cannot leave their apartements very easily and bring communion to them. The pastor goes to each location one weekday morning to offer Mass as well.

I think a big problem is the every day Catholic in the pew - myself included - recognizing the need and being willing to be part of the solution!

Yeah, we have something similar. I know that I have offered to take some to Mass myself. A big problem though is most need chair lifts & those are expensive to install.

I have dealt with so many different Churches since I've been doing this & I have to say, I'm getting tired of the contest.

Michie · Feb 16, 2012

Wolseley said:
I think at least part of the reason for stuff like this is due to what I call "Church by Committee": you have "pastoral associates" or members of religious orders or whatnot that get together and they talk a problem to death, but don't actually do anything about it.

In my own experience, I've been disgusted to see advertisements in the Catholic magazines for stuff like "2012 Charity Care Workshop: Come and hear Sister Annie Mae Flubnugget, RSM, and a host of speakers discussing 'Jesus' Sheep in the 21st Century: A Holistic Approach to the Underprivileged and Elderly' at the Ramada Inn Banquet Room, July 14th, from 4 to 8 PM. A variety of workshops and dinner will follow. Come join Sister Annie for a challenging evening of adventures in stepping out in faith! A registration fee of $15 will be taken at sign-up and dinner is $12.90 per plate." (I just made that up, but it's simialr to the real ones.)

And I think to myself, "If you people would spend less time forming committees and diddling around with "workshops" and discussing everything in the abstract, and actually went out there and physically did something for the poor and elderly, you'd be further ahead with what Christ actually wants you to do." But, it seems that far too often, the Catholics tend to form committees instead of actually doing something, and the whole purpose gets lost in all the organizing.

Wols, that is my thoughts EXACTLY. Stop talking about it & just DO it. Good grief...is it any wonder a lot of us are burnt out?

I feel guilty for even taking a week off.

Because when I come back, whoever was supposed to fill in does not show up! Probably decided to attend one of those meetings instead. :doh:

JacktheCatholic · Feb 16, 2012

Michie said:
No Jack, That is not my job. Yes I am to plant seeds & evangelize, bring communion. Show support to the sick & dying, bury the dead, etc. But I cannot debate a sick woman into the Church. I did what I was supposed to do & contacted the deacon. The priest or deacon will go out there to discuss her options or arrangements. I'm there to support & talk to people in need. Catholic & non Catholic. The priest is her shepherd in this case & it is up to him to shepherd her.

I was not asking you to debate her or shepherd her. Just to give her a little information. From your thread here and because of what I am teaching my 7th grade Catechism class on Confirmation, I started a thread that deals with us being soldiers of Christ after we are Confirmed.

Now, you do not believe it is your place to inform a fellow Catholic of a Catholic teaching then fine. But, I believe we are found guilty of a brethren's sin if we do not correct them. I think we can find that in the CCC.

But, you believe you handled this the best way possible and that you should not do anything but contact a Deacon. I am sure you will get a lot of support because I am not telling you the same thing everyone else is. But I will not patronize you and say you did all you could when I think you left your sister lost when you may have given her some Light in her darkness and maybe helped her back home to her Shepherd (Jesus).

That is how I handle things and I think I am doing what the Catholic Church teaches. If I read a post or see someone doing sin or not seeing the Truth and they are Catholic then I believe it is my obligation to show them the Truth because if they sin and I do not advise them then I am culpable for their sin. If they are not sinning but being led astray then I think it is my obligation to shed some Truth (some Light) in hopes that they can see.

Now, I have said my mind and I am ready to be assaulted by those that will think I am being mean to you. But know this, I do this as something I believe is the teaching of the Church and so it is out of Love to God and you and the lady you served and myself and all here. If this is not understood and some want to persecute me then that is fine, as a Christian, a Confirmed Christian, I am a soldier in Christ and part of the Church Militant and have God's gifts for that.

Peace

JacktheCatholic · Feb 16, 2012

JAMES 5:19 My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, 20 he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Maybe we need not correct a fellow Catholic being led astray? But, it seems that if we help bring them back it can help our own salvation by covering many of our own sins.

Nuff said...

This is sad...

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Goodbye~God bless

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Uncertain Absurdist

Veteran

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Praise be to Jesus Christ. Now and forever.

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eagles fly alone

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Still crazy after all these years !

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Still crazy after all these years !

Beaucoup-Diên-Cai-Dāu

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Praise be to Jesus Christ. Now and forever.

Praise be to Jesus Christ. Now and forever.

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